UPDATE: The group reports that they reached the initial fundraising goal. This means that they will move forward with filing a lawsuit against the city for violating SEPA regulations. They say this is just the first step and they are asking for further contributions for legal proceedings. More information here.
The Magnolia Neighborhood Planning Council (MNPC) is not giving up the fight for the Army Reserve Center at Discovery Park. Last week the Seattle City Council voted in favor of the redevelopment plan for 216 homes, including 86 units for the homeless, on the site being vacated by the Army.
The MNPC is now asking for donations to fund a lawsuit against the city. They want the land returned to Discovery Park, as they believe the park master plan intended. Here is the message we just received from Robin Bud at the MNPC:
While the total cost of the lawsuit might be substantial, it will probably only cost $5000-$10,000 for the first stage. We need to know by Wednesday (October 1) whether there’s enough support to get this suit started. If we can’t raise over $5000 by Wednesday evening, we’ll be forced to tell our attorney to drop the case.
Please let us know whether, and how much, you can contribute. Any contribution you make will be used only for attorney’s fees. You can make checks payable to MNPC, and you can mail them to MNPC, Box 271, 3213 W Wheeler, Seattle, 98199. Please shoot me an email if you mail a check so I’ll know where we stand at robinobudd@gmail.com.
If we fail to raise $5,000 by Wednesday evening, we will return your checks to you. We’ve raised $1600 so far (not counting money already spent). I believe we have a very good chance of prevailing in this legal case.
Richard Aramburu is the attorney working with the group. He says that while there are many factors involved in estimating the cost of litigation he believes that the total cost would be in the vicinity of $30,000-$40,000. The lawsuit against the city needs to be filed in King County Superior Court by October 13.
